1Berkshire and MassCEO to Host Regional Symposium

03:35PM / Tuesday, March 18, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 1Berkshire, in partnership with the Massachusetts Center on Employee Ownership (MassCEO), will host the Western MA Regional Employee Ownership Symposium at the Berkshire Innovation Center on March 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The symposium will provide information about MassCEO and employee ownership models, and will address effective succession planning, pay equity, and wealth building. Regional employee-owned firms will share their experiences. Attendees will learn about potential state and federal funding to support employee ownership and will have the opportunity to participate in a round-table discussion with subject matter experts.

The event is part of regional collaborative efforts in the Berkshires to address business succession and transition planning.

The event is free and open to the public. Registration is requested by March 20. Registration can be completed at https://bit.ly/MassCEO-Event.

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New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction.

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.

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